Arizona weekly citizen., 1887-08-20
CLIFTON INDIAN SCARE.
Knew How 1t was When a Man is Alone
 That Way.

Knew How 1t was When a Man is Alone
 That Way.
 The appended report of Capt fup- per of the 9th Cavalry, who Wins detail ca to inquire into the reported Indian fordy near Clifton. Of which appeared ID the Clarion of July 27th, will be read with interest and relIet by prospectors and settlers throughout southeastern Arizona. Similar idle reports to the ore started by Pinney, have wrought almost as mach injury to the country as actual raids have done. Similar In7estigatlons and reports would frequently do more to assure the people of their safety than the presence of 6 company of cavalry:
 FoRT BAEARD, N. Nj. Aug. Il. Post Adiusant, Fort Bay ard. N, M.:
 Sir:-I have the honor to report that in compliance with orders received. proceeded on the 4sh instant 10 Aima. N. NJ, to investigate a report published in the newspaper that Ind ans had been s5en in that vicinity. The following Is the result of my investigation:
 Ou Sunday, 24.h ulIO., Mir. PInney, barkeeper in the town of C0o1ey, let Alma in company with three miners, or prOspeciors, to visit Granville, new mining camp, situated between Blue and Eagle creeks, and about eighteen miles from Clifton, Arizona. At about six miles from Alma. Pinney became slcE and had to stop. It is said he had been on @ spree. The three miners left him and went on abOnt their busiaess, and rii have been seen since. PIurey returned to Alma and stated that he hal run across three Indians and fired a' them, the Indians returned the fire, The last vOlley at less than sixty yards. The same afternoon he revisited the scene of his repOr ed battle, ID company with man known by the name of Bob HanDG. who owns B cattle ranch on Blue ere B. Mir. Hanna informed me that he wrs unable to discover any sIgn or track, not made by PInney hImseif.
 Mir. Sig9ins informed re that three mounted Mexicans passed hls place @ day or two prior to PIDney's adventure. Their appearance excited EU5DIclon-so much 60 that parties Tn PieHssntoD watched them until they departed dnr IDS the night, and went in tbe direction of pinney 8 subsequent battlefield. Ais", that one Ot o' the descriptions given 5y PIIney, of the appearance of the h. dIRns eOrresponded very well with tre appearance of the MexIcaHS who pre- giOusly pass-d his (SiEglnsJ rsGch- .
 Pinney's story seems to have been very much doubted by number of Deo- pie in the vicinity from the first, to have been almost entirely disipated in the minds of some, and halt forgotten by others before my arrival.
 Parties whom l met, who had recent ly passed through Alma. coming ID this direction from points beyond Anne, had not even heard of any rumOts about In- | ans, except that of hundred iu Mex ic).
 l visited CooDey, conversed with Pin ney, who corrVborsted what l had pre- vIOusly learned, that he was alone at the time, the others having gone on, and that Hanna returned with him the same day to where he believed be SEW the h. dians. He still adhered to she belief, but readily admitted that he may have been mistaken. sDd sad that Il knew how it vas when man a alone tbbf way" l suppose he meant, more apt tc get scared.
 I learned nothing further bearing up on the matter, except that t was inves- tiSated by other parties next day. who came to the same conclusion, viz:--thgt Pinney either saw nothing. or the three MexiesDs who passed Siggins' ranch. The driver Of the stage leaving next morning (MoDday) for Silver City, was cautioned not to repea. the runor, until something could be learned concerning it's truth. It appears that the mere sober mind | ed portion of the coI0munity about | Alma distFusied Piuney's story from the l first. think is probable that ths party who | gave the report to the press, left A ma | before even Pinney's report va bali un- ders,Ood, as it was incorrectly given in the press
 Your obedisnt servant,
 T. c. UPPER.
 Captain tish Cavalry,